Legal Questions: How do I protect myself?
Where
are the days when a student knew if he got in trouble at school, he
was facing twice the disciplinary action at home? In school district
after school district across the country it seems the all too frequent
words heard by teachers and administrations is "liability"
or "lawsuit." Document,
document, and document.
Document the basis for a lower than normal grade. For
example, a student who plagiarized part of an assignment received a
lower grade. The teacher was challenged by the parents and had
to justify the basis for the grade, i.e. "why this many points
off." Fortunately because the teacher had kept copies and
documented well the plagiarism she was able to justify the grade and
maintain the necessary administrative support against the
parent. (I won't comment on a parent who believes a grade should
be raised even though the student plagiarized.)
Document through regular notes classroom conduct, assignments and participation
if those factors are relevant in the grade given.
Document and
tape any conversation with a student of the opposite sex if it
impossible to have a witness present. Request that positive
comments from parents and supportive students be reduced to writing
for placement in your personnel file.
There
is an all time high of charges of harassment, abuse and discrimination
by parents against teachers. Coaches are being accused of bias
and unfairness when every student is not given equal playing
time. Claims for verbal and physical violence against a student
are becoming even more common, often in face of clear fact disputing
such claims.
The number of parents making such charges
remains in the minority, but even one such incident will often ruin a
teaching career or drive a good teacher from the classroom because of
the publicity.
What can a teacher do to protect himself
and minimize such incidents?
Know board policies related to
the teaching position, particularly those policies that are relevant
to student conduct, grading, communication with parents, classroom
management, etc.
Never
meet with a student of the opposite sex alone.
Keep
parents informed through regular communication with the home;
especially in the age of websites and e-mail many teachers are finding
it useful to post class syllabus, activities and class assignments on
a personal website so that parents can be informed without a
significant cost.
Communicate
to students that you will be in regular communication with their
parents.
Keep the school
administration apprised of any unusual circumstances that occur during
the day, which involve student conduct or communication with
you.
Phone: Voice: 615-778-0803
Fax: 615-778-0149
Document,
document,
AND
document.